QQ RR PP

It’s how to spell “Fun”!It’s how to spell “Fun”!

Shel Radin

KF0UR

Tonight’s AgendaTonight’s Agenda

What is QRP?What is QRP? Why would I use it?Why would I use it? What are some options?What are some options? What else should I know?What else should I know?

What is QRP?What is QRP?

It’s not just “low power”It’s not just “low power”

QRP is defined as QRP is defined as – 5 watts or less on CW5 watts or less on CW– 10 watts PEP or less on SSB10 watts PEP or less on SSB

QRPp is 1 watt or lessQRPp is 1 watt or less

Why Use QRP?Why Use QRP?

It’s an adventureIt’s an adventure It’s differentIt’s different It’s a challengeIt’s a challenge It’s something new to tryIt’s something new to try = It’s fun= It’s fun

slogan: "Power is no substitute for slogan: "Power is no substitute for skill”skill”

QRP RigsQRP Rigs

What’s a QRP Rig?What’s a QRP Rig? You’d be surprised at the variety…You’d be surprised at the variety…

There are big rigs…There are big rigs…for home usefor home use

Yaesu FT-9000

Icom 7800

There are medium rigs…There are medium rigs… typical for home or portable usetypical for home or portable use

Yaesu FT-897

Icom IC-735

There are small rigs…There are small rigs… typical for home or portable usetypical for home or portable use

Elecraft K2

Kenwood TS-50

Yaesu FT-817

There are really small There are really small rigs…rigs…

known as “trail friendly” known as “trail friendly”

Elecraft Elecraft K2K2

SierraSierraWildernessWilderness

Oak Hills ResearchOak Hills ResearchOHR 500OHR 500

And then there are tiny rigs…And then there are tiny rigs…very trail friendlyvery trail friendly

Tuna TinTuna Tin

Yep…that is a “Chicken of the Sea” tuna can (tuna removed, hopefully )

Or if you prefer Altoids over Or if you prefer Altoids over Tuna…Tuna…

KD1JV’sKD1JV’sATS-3ATS-3

And for antennas…And for antennas… There are big antennasThere are big antennas

There are smaller, portable There are smaller, portable antennasantennas

BuddipoleBuddipole

Par End fed Par End fed ZeppZepp

Force 12Force 12 Sigma 5Sigma 5

    

                                                 PAC 12PAC 12

Portable Homebrew HF Portable Homebrew HF VerticalVertical

It’s what’s inside that It’s what’s inside that countscounts

Each Each extends to extends to

6 feet6 feet

And if you put it together…And if you put it together…

12’ when fully

12’ when fully

extended

extended

QRP SuppliersQRP Suppliers

Include:Include:– ElecraftElecraft– Oak Hills ResearchOak Hills Research– Small Wonder LabsSmall Wonder Labs– Wilderness RadioWilderness Radio– Northern California QRP Club (Norcal)Northern California QRP Club (Norcal)– HendricksHendricks– BuddipoleBuddipole– Pacific AntennaPacific Antenna– Force 12Force 12

What can you do with What can you do with these?these?

Just about anything you want.Just about anything you want.– The bigger rigs have all modes and bandsThe bigger rigs have all modes and bands– The medium rigs usually have them all, as wellThe medium rigs usually have them all, as well– The small rigs trade features for sizeThe small rigs trade features for size

Elecraft KX-1: 20M, 30M, 40M, 80M CW only, 4 wattsElecraft KX-1: 20M, 30M, 40M, 80M CW only, 4 watts

Very attainable goalsVery attainable goals– Worked All States (WAS)Worked All States (WAS)– DX Century Club (DXCC)DX Century Club (DXCC)– Contesting (QRP entry)Contesting (QRP entry)

QRP OrganizationsQRP Organizations

Adventure Radio SocietyAdventure Radio Society– Share triumphs and tribulationsShare triumphs and tribulations– Sponsors contestsSponsors contests

Flight of the BumblebeeFlight of the Bumblebee Awards for “miles per watt”Awards for “miles per watt”

QRP Amateur Radio Club International QRP Amateur Radio Club International Northern California QRP Club (NorCal) Northern California QRP Club (NorCal) Colorado QRP ClubColorado QRP Club American QRP ClubAmerican QRP Club + More…+ More…

But…I won’t be heard!But…I won’t be heard!

Oh yes you will! Oh yes you will!

Math class is now in sessionMath class is now in session Consider…Consider…

– One S unit on your receiver is 6 dB. One S unit on your receiver is 6 dB. – Halving your power is only a 3 db loss.Halving your power is only a 3 db loss.– Quartering your power is 6 dB loss and Quartering your power is 6 dB loss and

therefore a one S unit difference.therefore a one S unit difference.– Let me repeat that: Let me repeat that: using ¼ of your using ¼ of your

power reduces your signal only 1 S unit.power reduces your signal only 1 S unit.

More Math (sorry…)More Math (sorry…)

– If a If a 100 watt100 watt signal is received as an signal is received as an S9S9, then, then

– A A 25 watt25 watt signal (¼ of 100 watts) will be signal (¼ of 100 watts) will be S8S8 (-6 dB) (-6 dB)

– A A 6.256.25 watt signal (¼ of 25 watts) will be watt signal (¼ of 25 watts) will be S7S7 (-12 dB) (-12 dB)

– A A 1.51.5 watt signal (¼ of 6.25 watts) will be watt signal (¼ of 6.25 watts) will be S6S6

– A A 5 watt5 watt signal will be just under signal will be just under S7S7

There are There are QRP Calling QRP Calling FrequenciesFrequencies

(where to hang out (where to hang out to improve your to improve your

odds)odds)

BandBand CWCW SSBSSB

160160 1.8101.810 1.9101.910

1.843 Europe1.843 Europe

8080 3.5603.560 3.9853.985

3.710 US 3.710 US NoviceNovice

4040 7.0307.030 7.2857.285

7.030 Europe7.030 Europe 7.0607.060

7.110 US 7.110 US NoviceNovice

3030 10.10610.106

2020 14.06014.060 14.2814.2855

1515 21.06021.060 21.3821.3855

1010 28.06028.060 28.3828.3855

28.110 US 28.110 US NoviceNovice

One more QRP differenceOne more QRP difference

Some QRPers sign with Some QRPers sign with 7272 instead of, instead of, or in addition to or in addition to 73 73 when signingwhen signing– To acknowledge the QSO using QRP To acknowledge the QSO using QRP

powerpower– Kinda like a not-so-secret hand shake.Kinda like a not-so-secret hand shake.

In SummaryIn Summary

Try it from Try it from homehome by simply turning by simply turning down your power down your power

Try it from a Try it from a park benchpark bench with your with your portable rig.portable rig.

Try it from your Try it from your carcar, if you have a , if you have a mobile set-up.mobile set-up.

Enjoy another wonderful facet of our Enjoy another wonderful facet of our hobby!hobby!

Thanks for your time!Thanks for your time!

C U on the airC U on the air

72, Shel KF0UR72, Shel KF0UR